As any prominent honors show nears, one notices a demand for introducing of new categories to honor underappreciated efforts and fill the hearts of enthusiasts dedicated to specific genres.
Another commentator previously argued supporting a scary games classification. That would be fantastic. Equally deserving are tabletop games, which is a dedicated supporter's campaign. However, I must insist for pushing forward just as with other blinkered fanatics, I have a cast-iron argument backing this proposal remains most pressing and important of all. The demand is this: It's essential to create an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always start arguments and end in fuzzy definitions. It's understandable that cinema institutions steer clear of genre categories. Yet it remains a necessary evil in the world of video games, showing incredible range it's challenging to consider them one unified medium.
To recognize the complete range of achievement in video games to receive acknowledgment, and for games of all stripes to receive proper recognition, specific award classifications remain vital.
Present Award Structure
Prominent interactive entertainment events presently include award types recognizing Action-oriented games, Adventure-action titles, Role-Playing, Combat games, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Together, these award types actually cover numerous genres, making space possible for numerous titles.
Not so for logic-based experiences. No suitable classification appears to accommodate them. Consider three of this year’s best games, showing diverse approaches: structural challenges of one title, fast-paced pattern recognition in a different title, and the sweetly sociological logic puzzles in another game. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
Acknowledgment Issues
Numerous examples exist of brilliant puzzle games published annually without proper recognition in entertainment awards, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, Virtual reality experiences, or the extremely competitive small studio competitions.
- A renowned logic title got overlooked in any category in 2014
- Another imaginative release received no nominations that year
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored that year
- Just some puzzle games managed to sneak into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
These are often compact experiences, but the art behind logic titles holds tremendous importance. Famous handheld logic titles stand as most engaged experiences in the world continuing this trend for an extended period.
The legendary block-stacking game competes with famous sandbox experiences for the title of highest-selling title ever; it also contends as greatest title ever. Puzzle games are foundational within interactive entertainment, and they are in conversation across multiple categories.
Recommendation and Reasoning
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select five nominees interesting, varied, worthy titles each ceremony simply — perhaps, with difficulty, given the need to exclude numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these represent titles lacking appropriate categories during prominent ceremonies. Brain-teaser creators function at the hard edge of video game design, developing some of the purest expressions of the video game form. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. Don't make them wait 35 years.
